Report: Indiana Improved Kids Health Ranking

The well-being of Hoosier children ranks in the middle of the pack, according to the Kids Count Data Book.

The annual report finds Indiana in the 29th spot overall, a slight decline from last year.  The data measures trends in well-being, including health, economics and family and community. 

In the health category, Indiana’s ranking improved five spots to 26th. Indiana records one of the lowest rates of teen substance abuse in the nation.

Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Tami Silverman says while there has been improvement, racial disparities are apparent across many indicators.

"Indiana’s kids are becoming more diverse, so it’s important that we understand the reality of all our kids," says Silverman. 

The number of low birth weight babies has increased slightly, and the number of children without insurance is still below the national average.

The state’s childhood poverty rate has improved to 18 percent. 

Silverman says the information can help inform policy.

"Which areas do we want to lean into first, what all areas are we making progress in and what might we need to focus on that we haven’t in the past," says Silverman. 

Indiana’s lowest ranking, 32 out of 50, comes in the family and community sector, where measures include the number of teen births and children living in high poverty areas.